Fresno State Athletics
Morse Wittwer gift to make new Sports Performance Center a reality
7/14/2022 9:00:00 AM | General
Morse Wittwer Sports Performance Center (Preview)Learn more about the Marvin & Tish Meyers Champions CircleVideo: Meyers Champions Circle
The new state-of-the-art sports performance facility was made possible by a major gift from the Morse and Wittwer families, who are the first members of the Marvin & Tish Meyers Champions Circle.
FRESNO, Calif. – The Morse Wittwer Sports Performance Center is coming to the Fresno State campus in the North Gym and is scheduled to open during the fall semester.
With the $500,000 naming gift, the state-of-the-art facility will be named in honor of Chris & Michelle Morse and Ken & Kristi Wittwer, who are being recognized as the first members of the Marvin & Tish Meyers Champions Circle, an exclusive philanthropic giving society designed to maximize the resources for Bulldog student-athletes and improve the landscape of Fresno State Athletics.
The dynamic training center will include over 6,000 square feet of space outfitted with PLAE equipment and flooring with 12 platforms built into the floor and a large turf area for plyometrics, movement prep exercises and recovery.
"We have always believed in the value of investing in our great University," Chris Morse said. "Just as Fresno State serves our region and beyond, our Bulldog student-athletes play a significant role as well. They not only bring our community together to celebrate Fresno State, but their impact and contributions as future leaders is invaluable."
The area will feature six half racks and six double sided racks, which will include flying pull-up bars and six lat pulldown/low row combo cable towers. All the racks will be outfitted with Jammer Extension Arms and Landmine attachments along with various other weight equipment to help develop Bulldog student-athletes.
The center, which is being furnished just steps away from the primary practice facility for men's and women's basketball and volleyball in the North Gym, will also include sports science technology including a Hawkin Dynamic force plate and iPads at each rack with RepOne software to track barbell speeds.
"The new sports performance center really got us excited," Ken Wittwer said. "By almost doubling the amount of opportunity for our student-athletes to train, it impacts all 18 varsity sports. We've been witness to our student-athletes excelling at a high level athletically and academically, and this will serve as a valuable tool to optimize their training and their experience."
Morse, Wittwer furthering impact for Bulldog student-athletes
With this latest major gift, Chris and Michelle Morse and Ken and Kristi Wittwer, who are all proud alumni of Fresno State's Craig School of Business, extend their lifetime contributions to Fresno State to over $2,000,000 and become the first official members of the Meyers Champions Circle.
"Thank you to the Morse and Wittwer families for their continued support of Fresno State Athletics," Fresno State Director of Athletics Terry Tumey said. "This gift is a great example of how philanthropy can enhance our student-athlete's experience as this facility will optimize the efficiency of their training and prepare them for success."
The Morse and Wittwer families have long been engaged philanthropically with Fresno State Athletics, making donations that have impacted all 18 varsity sports. Previous donations have included gifts to the Spalding G. Wathen Tennis Complex renovation, updated equipment for the Ricchiuti Strength and Conditioning Center, softball locker-room renovation, scholarship donations, and countless other sport specific funds for excellence donations.
"Fresno State Athletics – For The V: The Central Valley" – Bulldog student-athletes, coaches, and staff proudly wear the "Green V" to show their pride in representing the Central Valley. Stories of why the Bulldogs play for the "Green V" will be shared throughout the next year with #ForTheV. To become a Bulldog Foundation member or learn more about the Meyers Champions Circle and other opportunities to impact Fresno State student-athletes, please call 559-278-7160 or visit bulldogfoundation.org.
With the $500,000 naming gift, the state-of-the-art facility will be named in honor of Chris & Michelle Morse and Ken & Kristi Wittwer, who are being recognized as the first members of the Marvin & Tish Meyers Champions Circle, an exclusive philanthropic giving society designed to maximize the resources for Bulldog student-athletes and improve the landscape of Fresno State Athletics.
The dynamic training center will include over 6,000 square feet of space outfitted with PLAE equipment and flooring with 12 platforms built into the floor and a large turf area for plyometrics, movement prep exercises and recovery.
"We have always believed in the value of investing in our great University," Chris Morse said. "Just as Fresno State serves our region and beyond, our Bulldog student-athletes play a significant role as well. They not only bring our community together to celebrate Fresno State, but their impact and contributions as future leaders is invaluable."
The area will feature six half racks and six double sided racks, which will include flying pull-up bars and six lat pulldown/low row combo cable towers. All the racks will be outfitted with Jammer Extension Arms and Landmine attachments along with various other weight equipment to help develop Bulldog student-athletes.
The center, which is being furnished just steps away from the primary practice facility for men's and women's basketball and volleyball in the North Gym, will also include sports science technology including a Hawkin Dynamic force plate and iPads at each rack with RepOne software to track barbell speeds.
"The new sports performance center really got us excited," Ken Wittwer said. "By almost doubling the amount of opportunity for our student-athletes to train, it impacts all 18 varsity sports. We've been witness to our student-athletes excelling at a high level athletically and academically, and this will serve as a valuable tool to optimize their training and their experience."
Morse, Wittwer furthering impact for Bulldog student-athletes
With this latest major gift, Chris and Michelle Morse and Ken and Kristi Wittwer, who are all proud alumni of Fresno State's Craig School of Business, extend their lifetime contributions to Fresno State to over $2,000,000 and become the first official members of the Meyers Champions Circle.
"Thank you to the Morse and Wittwer families for their continued support of Fresno State Athletics," Fresno State Director of Athletics Terry Tumey said. "This gift is a great example of how philanthropy can enhance our student-athlete's experience as this facility will optimize the efficiency of their training and prepare them for success."
The Morse and Wittwer families have long been engaged philanthropically with Fresno State Athletics, making donations that have impacted all 18 varsity sports. Previous donations have included gifts to the Spalding G. Wathen Tennis Complex renovation, updated equipment for the Ricchiuti Strength and Conditioning Center, softball locker-room renovation, scholarship donations, and countless other sport specific funds for excellence donations.
"Fresno State Athletics – For The V: The Central Valley" – Bulldog student-athletes, coaches, and staff proudly wear the "Green V" to show their pride in representing the Central Valley. Stories of why the Bulldogs play for the "Green V" will be shared throughout the next year with #ForTheV. To become a Bulldog Foundation member or learn more about the Meyers Champions Circle and other opportunities to impact Fresno State student-athletes, please call 559-278-7160 or visit bulldogfoundation.org.
2025 Rally The Valley Coaches Caravan
Thursday, May 15
2025 Night of Champions
Wednesday, May 07
Fresno State Athletics: 2025 Black History Month
Wednesday, February 12
Fresno State Athletics: Legendary
Saturday, August 17